MXPA06013175A

MXPA06013175A - Wire feeder incorporating a gas system for providing wire and gas to the welding location.

Info

Publication number: MXPA06013175A
Application number: MXPA06013175A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Kenneth A Stanzel; Ronald Woodward; John Breitbach
Original assignee: Illinois Tool Works
Priority date: 2004-05-12
Filing date: 2005-05-09
Publication date: 2007-02-13
Also published as: US7423238B2; US20050252899A1; CA2565240A1; WO2005107993A1; CA2565240C; EP1771272A1

Abstract

A wire feeder (10) and gas system (47) for use therewith is shown. The gas system (47) of the wire feeder (10) includes a canister (48) that is constructed to contain a shielding gas therein and is connectable to the wire feeder (10). The canister (48) is supported by the wire feeder (10) when it is connected thereto such that the wire feeder (10) can be efficiently and conveniently transported from one location to another with the source of shielding gas securely connected thereto.

Description

WIRE FEEDER THAT INCORPORATES A GAS SYSTEM TO SUPPLY THE WIRE AND GAS ON THE SOLDERING PE SITE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to systems for welders and, more particularly, to a gas system for supplying a shielding gas to a weld. The power sources of a welder have become increasingly portable in recent years. This carrier is largely the result of a lightweight unit and improved electrical components. An improvement in the area of electrical components has been the incorporation of inverted type power sources. The application of an inverter power source has reduced the size and weight of the welders and created a usable space within the confines of the housing, while maintaining the ability to generate the output power required for welding. Improvements in wire feed technology have also improved the ease of use and portability of a welder. Wire welding is generally thought to be easier to learn than arc welding with conventional electrode and as such, relatively inexperienced craftsmen can produce adequate results in a relatively short time. As a result, because of the ease of use and the versatility of their application, many users prefer wire welding instead of electrode arc welding. The space in any work environment is always first class. Even if the welder is used in the garage of an amateur or in the machine shop of an industrial plant, the size of the unit is always a design consideration. The space used by a welder is not limited to the dimensions of the power source itself but includes auxiliary components related to the welding process such as cables, consumables, and gas tanks. The space required for the storage and maintenance of these items is another consideration associated with many welding machines. Containers with protective gas, commonly referred to as gas tanks, that provide gas during the welding process. This gas essentially encapsulates the welding process in order to protect the integrity of the welding against contaminants and also improves the performance of the arc during the welding process. The protection gas is generally provided in very long and very heavy cylinders. The cylinders are built in a rugged way to withstand the high pressure of the gas contained there and the rigors of the workplace. A regulator and valve unit is typically placed on the gas cylinder and allows the operator of a welder's power source to control the amount of gas provided during the welding process. The size and weight of the gas cylinders significantly detract from the portability of the welder. Additionally, attempts to move the welder and gas cylinder together presents an opportunity for inadvertent damage to the gas cylinder or regulator attached thereto unless a trolley is provided. Such trolleys, however, are long and typically constructed to accommodate bulky gas cylinders. Thus, the portability of the welding device is limited to the holder of the protection gas cylinder. Additionally, although the welder has become transportable, there are occasions when still the great portability and / or versatility of the welding type devices is desired. One such device is a wire feeder that is remotely positionable with respect to the welding type energy source. Although the components of the wire feeder are able to be placed far away from the power source configured to generate the energy signal suitable for welding type applications, portability The wire feeder is limited by the connectivity of the wire feeder to a source of shielding gas. Often the wire feeder is connected directly to the gas source or is connected to the source of protection gas through the power source. Any configuration limits the portability range of the wire feeder by the length of the gas hose that extends between the gas source and the wire feeder. Understandably, while the gas source is 'mobile', the protection gas source is provided by a gas cylinder having a substantial size and mass. Thus, the movement of the gas cylinder is often limited by the operator's physical ability to move the cylinder or surrounding environment where the gas cylinder will move. That is, in certain work environments it may be impractical or impossible to maneuver the equipment necessary to move the gas cylinder to a desired remote location of the welder device's power source. Therefore, it would be desirable to design a welder-type device having a protective gas system that is lightweight and highly portable away from a welding type power source.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a wire feeder having a protective gas system that overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages. The wire feeder is constructed to supply a portable source of shielding gas to a weld. A pressure vessel is supported removably by the wire feeder so that the wire feeder is efficiently and conveniently transportable by a single person and has a source of shielding gas held securely in this way. Therefore, according to one aspect of the present invention, a wire feeder is disclosed to have a source of shielding gas. The wire feeder has a center built to hold a consumable welding wire and a drive assembly constructed to supply the consumable welding wire to a weld. A housing is placed around the center and the drive assembly. A pressure vessel is supported by the wire feeder and is constructed to contain gas therein. A valve is connected to the pressure vessel and is constructed to allow the passage of gas from the pressure vessel upon the coupling of the pressure vessel with the wire feeder. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a welding wire supply system is disclosed. The welding wire supply system has a consumable welding wire held in a case having a receptacle formed therein. A drive mechanism is constructed to couple the consumable welding wire and supply the consumable welding wire in a weld. The welding wire supply system includes a regulator that is positioned within and supported by the case receptacle. According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is disclosed a wire feeder having a housing with a cavity formed therein. The cavity formed in the housing is constructed to receive the supply of a welding wire therein. A feed drive is in fluid communication with the cavity and is constructed to remove the welding wire therefrom. The wire feeder also includes first means for supplying a shielding gas to a weld and second means for supplying the shielding gas to a weld. The first supply means originate within the housing and the second supply means originate outside the housing. Therefore, the present invention provides a versatile and highly portable welding system that has a protective gas system that is lightweight and easy to transport. Various other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The drawings illustrate a preferred embodiment currently contemplated for carrying out the invention. In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary energy source incorporating an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation view of the energy source of Fig. 1 with the lid removed. Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the power source of Fig. 2 with a cover and a protective gas system removed. Fig. 4 is a plan view showing the separate pieces of a protective gas system of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is an end view of the gas cylinder taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 4 Fig. 6 is an end view of the adapter taken along line 6-6 of Fig. 4 Fig. 7 is an end view of an adapter taken along line 7-7. of Fig. 4. Fig. 8 is a plan view showing separate parts of the regulator of the protective gas system of Fig. 4 Fig. 9 is a side plan view of the protective gas system of Fig. 2 in partial section. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a welding system incorporating another embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 11 is an elevation view of the wire feeder of the welding type system of Fig. 10 with a lid removed to expose the gas system held in this manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITY As one skilled in the art will appreciate, the following description of welding devices not only includes welders but also includes all types of systems that require high energy outputs that can benefit from the use of a compressed protective gas. Such systems may include heating and cutting systems. The description of a welding apparatus or device illustrates only one embodiment in which the present invention can be implemented. Referring to Fig. 1, a perspective view of a soldering device is shown which is incorporated in the present invention. The welding device 10 includes a housing 12 enclosing the internal components of the welding device under a cover 14. The welding device includes a handle 16 for transporting the welding system from one location to another. Although shown as a "suitcase" soldering device, capable of being easily transportable by a person, the present invention is equally applicable to larger soldering devices which may have more limited portability. To carry out the welding process, such as TIG or MIG welding, the welding device includes a torch 18 as well as a work clamp 20. The work clamp 20 is configured to complete the electric circuit of the torch 18 through the workpiece. work 22. As is known, when the torch 18 is in relative proximity to the work piece 22, a welding arc or a cutting arc results, depending on the particularly desired welding. A pair of cables 24 and 26 connect the torch 18 and the work clamp 20 to the housing 12, respectively. An energy cable 28 extends from the soldering device 10 and is connected to a variety of inputs. As shown, the power cable 28 includes an outlet 30 constructed to connect an electrical outlet and supply power to the soldering device 10 from an energy grid. It is understood that the power cable 28 can be configured to communicate power to the soldering device 10 from any type of power source, including a motor-driven generator, an energy grid, a battery, etc. Fig. 2 shows a soldering device 10 with the lid 14 removed therefrom. With the lid 14 removed, an internal cavity 32 of the welding device 10 is exposed. The cover 34 separates most of the internal cavity 32 so that when removing the lid 14 the majority of the electronic components of the welding device are not exposed. A wire guide 36 and a wire feeder 38 are positioned in a manner close to the connection of the cable 24 in the housing 12. A guide wire 40 is taken from a spool 42 by means of the wire feeder 38 towards the torch through of the cable 24. The cover 34 has a curved portion 44 to accommodate the placement of the spool 42 in the hub 46 of the welding device 10. A protective gas system 47 includes a gas cylinder 48 constructed to closely engage a first portion 50 of a recess 51 formed in cover 34. Although the gas cylinder 48 is shown in a generally horizontal orientation with respect to the welding device 10, such orientation is merely exemplary. It is understood that the gas cylinder 48 could be positioned in any orientation and that it could be located completely within the perimeter 52 of the housing 12 as shown, partially within the housing 12, or on the outside of the housing, if desired. The protective gas system 47 includes an adapter 54 and a regulator 56. The adapter 54 is fly connected between the gas cylinder 48 and the regulator 56 of the protective gas system 47. The adapter 54 engages the gas cylinder 48 and allows the shielding gas to flow from the gas cylinder 48 to the regulator 56 immediately upon the connection to the latter., as will be described later in more detail with respect to Figs. 4-7 and 9. The adapter 54 is constructed to be tightly positioned in the second portion 58 of the recess 51. The regulator 56 is placed in a third portion 60 of the hollow 51 and is fluidly connected to the torch of the welding device 10 through a hose 61 and controls the amount of shielding gas provided to the torch during a welding operation. Optionally, during the operation of the welding process, a valve (not shown) is fluidly connected between the torch 18 and the regulator 56 in such a way that the flow of protective gas from the protective gas system 47 towards the torch 18 is only allowed when an operator has pressed the trigger or other torch driver 18. The cover 34 has a first projection 62 and a second projection 64 which generally flanks the gas cylinder 48. A belt 66 has a first end 68 pivotally connected to the first projection 62 and a second end 70 constructed to engage the second projection 64 of the cover 34. A lock 72 is pivotally connected to the second end 70 of the strap 66 and is constructed to removably couple the second projection 64. of the cover 64. The belt 66 encompasses the gas cylinder 48 and secures the gas cylinder in the recess 51. The safety 72 allows an operator to quickly remove and re- place the gas cylinder 48 from the welding device 10. Referring to Fig. 3, removing the cover 34 from the internal cavity 32 of the welding device 10 exposes the power source 74 of the welding device 10. The power source 74 includes a plurality of electrical components 76 connected to a circuit board 78. A wind tunnel 80 is placed on a portion 81 of the circuit board 78. The wind tunnel 80 has a plurality of components that generate heat (not shown) placed in the surroundings. These heat generating components can include transformers, inductors, and coil cores, necessary to generate a power signal suitable for welding applications. Those components mounted inside the wind tunnel 80 are cooled by direct exposure to a flow of cooling air, indicated by an arrow 83, through the housing 12 of the welding device 10. A fan (not shown) can also be located in the wind tunnel to facilitate the movement of sufficient quantities of cooling air through the welding device 10. A mesh 82 is located on the inlet opening 84 formed in the housing 12 and prevents the particles associated with the working environment from entering the housing of the welder device 10. In addition to the heat generating components placed within the wind tunnel 80, or alternatively thereto, the wind tunnel 80 is also constructed to accommodate heat sinks (not shown) there. The heat sinks are capable of thermally connecting to the electrical components 76 that are preferably placed outside the wind tunnel 80. Said construction maximizes the cooling of all electrical components that generate heat from the power source 74 while reducing the exposing the electrical components 76 to any particles that can be transported in the cooling flow 83 through the housing 12 of the welding device 10. Prior to entering the wind tunnel 80, the cooling flow 83 passes through the internal cavity 32 of the welding device 10 and cools the electrical components 76 of the welding device 10. The air entering the welding device 10 passes through the wind tunnel 80, leaves the wind tunnel 80 through the outlet end 86, and leaves the device welder through a ventilation duct 88 formed in the housing 12. A mounting bracket 90 is placed in the inner cavity 32 and securing the wind tunnel 80 and the power source 74 in the housing 12. The hub 46 extends from the mounting bracket 90 and is constructed to receive the wire spool 42 shown in Fig. 2 Returning to Fig. 3, a flange 92 extends near the portion 93 of the perimeter 94 of the mounting bracket 90 and has a plurality of holes 96 formed therein. The holes 96 are positioned to receive the corresponding projections (not shown) that extend from the cover 34 and secure the cover 34, as shown in Fig. 2, to the welder device 10. Alternatively, it is understood that the cover 34 can be fixed to flange 92 with a plurality of threaded fasteners. Referring to Fig. 4, the main components of the protective gas system 47 are shown separately from each other. The gas cylinder 48 has a body 98 which extends between the base portion 100 and the neck portion 102. The neck portion 102 has a threaded section 104 constructed to engage the first end 106 of the adapter 54. The portion The neck 102 of the gas cylinder 48 has an opening 108 formed through the neck portion 102. A valve 110 is placed in the opening 108 and operatively separates the internal cavity 111 from the gas cylinder 48 from the atmosphere. The valve 110 is biased towards the closed position when the gas cylinder 48 is separated from the adapter 54 and prevents communication between the internal cavity 111 of the gas cylinder 48 and the atmosphere. The valve 110 does not extend beyond the end face 112 of the gas cylinder 48. Said construction prevents unintentional ventilation of the internal cavity 111 when the gas cylinder 48 is not connected to the adapter 54. The valve 110 is integrally constructed with the body of the gas cylinder 98 and the neck part 102 to form a valve. and a gas cylinder 48 in one piece. The adapter 54 has a recess 114 (shown in phantom line) formed in the first end 106. A periphery 116 of the recess 114 is threaded to engage the threaded section 104 of the gas cylinder 48. A nozzle 118 extends into the recess 14 of the first end 106 of adapter 54 and is constructed to couple valve 110 of gas cylinder 48 when connecting gas cylinder to adapter 54. Such construction allows automatic actuation of valve 110 upon connection of gas cylinder 48 to adapter 54 and can result in an immediate communication of the gas between the internal cavity 11 and the regulator 56. That is to sayby diverting the valve 110 to an open position, the nozzle 118 allows the passage of the gas 120 from the internal cavity 11 of the gas cylinder to a passage 120 formed in the adapter 54. In this way, a manually operated valve is eliminated. The passage 120 fluidly connects the first end 106 of the adapter 54 with a second end 122 of the adapter 54. A pressure gauge 124 is in fluid communication with the passage 120 and indicates the pressure of shielding gas contained therein. The second end 122 of the adapter 54 has a threaded portion 126 constructed to connect the regulator 56. Although the threaded portion 126 of the second end 122 is shown in a male configuration and the screwing of the periphery 116 of the gap 114 is shown in a generally female, it is understood that these connections are merely exemplary and could vary depending on the connection of the configuration of the components connected to this. The regulator 56 has an opening 128 formed therein and constructed to engage the threaded portion 126 of the second end 122 of the adapter 54. An outlet 130 has an elbow portion 132 is connected to a second opening 134 formed in the regulator 56. A passage of The gas, indicated by arrows 135, extends between the opening 128 and the outlet 130 and is interrupted by an adjusting screw 136. The manipulation of the adjusting screw 136 regulates the flow of protective gas through the regulator 56 towards the outlet 130. and controls the amount of shielding gas provided to the solder type device connected to this. The relief valve assembly 138 is also fluidly connected to the gas passage 135 of the regulator 56 and allows the controlled release of gas contained therein in case the gas pressure in the gas passage 135 exceeds a maximum operating pressure. . The outlet 130 includes a rib portion 140 constructed to receive the hose 61, shown in Fig. 2, around it. The gas hose connects the regulator 56 to the welding type device and in a fluid way communicates the protective gas to a torch. Fig. 5 shows an end view of the neck part 102 of the gas cylinder 48. The valve 110 is disposed in the opening 108 of the gas cylinder 48 and includes an actuator 142 generally centrally positioned therein. A plurality of ribs 144 is separated by a plurality of passages 146 and supports an actuator 142 in the valve 110. Although it is biased to the closed position, the application of pressure to the actuator 142 opens the valve 110 and allows the passage of the shielding gas. from inside the gas cylinder 48 through the passages 146 and out of the gas cylinder. The threaded section 104 extends around the valve 110 and has a coupling shaft generally coaxial with the operating axis of the actuator 142. FIG. 6 shows an end view of the first end 106 of the adapter 54. A plurality of threads 148 extends over the periphery 116 of the recess 114. The nozzle 118 extends into the recess 114 and is generally concentric with the threading 148. The passage 120 is misaligned from the nozzle 118 and passes through the adapter 54 to the second end 122 of the adapter 54. as shown in Fig. 7. Returning to the Fig. 6, a threaded opening 150 extends in the adapter 54 and is in fluid communication with the passage 120. The threaded opening 150 is constructed to receive the pressure indicator there. Said construction allows the Pressure Indicator 124, shown in Fig. 4, to indicate the pressure of the shielding gas within the passage 120. An annular groove 152 is formed in the nozzle 118 and provides a clear passage of the shielding gas from the cylinder. of gas 48 to passage 120 upon the connection of the gas cylinder to the adapter 54. By connecting the gas cylinder 48 to the adapter 54, the nozzle 118 engages the actuator 142 of the valve 110 and immediately, and automatically opens the valve 110. Referring to Fig. 7, a recess 153 is formed at the second end 122 of the adapter 54. The threaded portion 126 extends over a perimeter 156 of the second end 122 and is constructed to threadably engage the regulator 56. The passageway 120 fluidly communicates the shielding gas to the recess 154, which fluidly communicates the gas of protection to the regulator 56. The regulator 56 is shown in great detail in Fig. 8. The opening 128 is constructed to receive a filter element 158 there. The filter element 158 prevents the penetration of particles that can be transported in the shielding gas flow through the adapter 54 and prevents passage to the regulator 56. The outlet 130 has a threaded portion 160 opposite the rib portion 140. constructed to threadably couple the angled portion 132 of the outlet 130. The angled portion 132 includes a threaded portion 162 constructed to threadably engage the regulator 56. By adjusting the screw 136 it is rotatably connected to a body 164 of the regulator 56 and allows the operator controlling over a quantity of protective gas allowed to flow through the regulator 56. An opening of the relief valve 166 is formed in the regulator 56 and is constructed to receive the relief valve assembly 138 there. A spring 170 deflects a seat retainer 172 against a seat 174. The body of the relief valve 168 secures the spring 170, the seat retainer 172, and the seat 174 within the opening of the relief valve 166 of the regulator 56. The assembly of the relief valve 138 allows to release the pressure of the protection gas contained in the regulator 56. As shown in FIG. 9, an inner periphery 176 of the opening 128 of the regulator 56 threadably engages the threaded portion 126 of the adapter 54 and fluidly communicates the shielding gas to the flow passage 135 of the regulator 56 from the passage 120 of the adapter 54. Pressure indicator 124 is also connected in fluid communication to passage 120 of adapter 54 and indicates the gas pressure therein. The threading 148 of the periphery 116 of the recess 114 of the first end 106 of the adapter 54 is threadedly connected to the threaded section 104 of the gas cylinder 48. When fully connected, the front end 112 of the neck portion 102 of the gas cylinder 48 extends past the end 178 of the nozzle 118. end 178 of the nozzle 118 is connected to the actuator 142 of the valve 110 of the gas cylinder 48 and connects in fluid communication the cavity 111 of the gas cylinder 48 to the passage 120 of the adapter 54. As the gas cylinder 48 screw in the recess 114 of the adapter 54, the nozzle 118 moves the actuator 142 of the valve 110 in a direction generally opposite the direction of the coupling, indicated by an arrow 180, of the threaded section 104 of the gas cylinder 48 and the recess 114 of the adapter 54 thereby opening the valve 110. A spring 182 biases the valve 110 to a closed position when the actuator 142 is not deflected by the nozzle 118 of the adapter 54. When connecting the cylinder The gas droplet 48 to the adapter 54, the shielding gas contained within the internal cavity 111 of the gas cylinder 48 is allowed to flow through the passage 120 of the adapter 54 and into the regulator 56. Said connection automatically opens the valve 110 of the gas cylinder 48 when connecting the gas cylinder to the adapter 54 without requiring the manipulation of an additional valve. Fig. 10 shows another welding type system 190 incorporating another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 10, a wire feeder 192 is connected to a welding power source 194. The wire feeder 192 can transmit the weld-type energy generated by the welding power source 194 to a welder but is unable to independently generate said power . The welder power source 194 is constructed to supply power to the wire feeder 192 through the welder wire 196. Also connected to the power source is a secondary wire of the work welder 198 which connects the power source to a clamp. 200 constructed to electrically connect the cable 198 to the work piece 202. It is also understood that the work cable of the welder 198 may extend between the wire feeder 192 and the work piece 202 in a manner similar to the wire 26 shown in FIG. Flg. 1. Additionally, although the wire feeder 192 is shown to be connected to the power source of the welder 194 it is not necessary to build with ease the mobility facility, it is understood that the wire feeder 192 can be energized by the power source constructed from similar to the soldering device 10 shown in Fig. 1. Despite the size and mobility of the power source connected to the wire feeder 192, the wire feeder 192 is able to be located remotely relative to it. The gun or welding torch 204 is connected to the wire feeder 192 and extends therefrom and is configured to supply a consumable welding wire to a welder. Comparing the wire feeder 192 shown in Fig. 10 and the welding device 10 shown in Fig. 1, it can be seen that an operator wishing to perform a welding process should only transport the components of the wire feeder of the welding system. Accordingly, an operator wishing to perform several remote welding processes will appreciate the reduction in size and mass of the transportable component of the welding system shown in Fig. 10. Additionally, it is required to contain fewer components than the housing 12 of the device. welding type 10 shown in Fig. 1, a housing 206 formed in the wire feeder 192 is smaller than the housing 12 in this manner allows the wire feeder 192 of the welding system 190 shown in Fig. 10 to be positioned in work sites even more confined or restricted than the highly portable welding type device 10 shown in Fig. 1. The power source 194 is constructed to condition the raw energy provided from the utility line or motor-driven power source and produce the usable energy by the welding process. The power of the power source is generally controlled by an associated operational controller and clusters that regulate the secondary or output side of the power conditioning components. Preferably, the power source 194 is regulated such that the output or secondary power of the welding power is not provided until the trigger 208 of the gun 204 is activated signaling the beginning of the welding process. In this regard, the welding circuit is not created between the power source 194 and the workpiece 202 until the trigger 208 of the gun 204 is activated and the consumable wire is placed in relative proximity to the workpiece 202. The trigger 208 of the torch 204 causes the wire feeder 192 to transmit command signals to the power source 194 thereby causing the power source to provide an adequate power signal for welding through the torch 204 when the trigger 208 is oppressed The wire feeder 192 is designed to be a portable or 'suitcase' wire feeder such that a further reduction in the weight of the portable components of the welding system is clearly advantageous. A) Yes, by constructing wire feeder 192 to operate with a separate power source and associated components, reduces the overall weight and size of the wire feeder thereby reducing operator fatigue associated with the repeated repositioning of portable components of the welding system. An optional volumetric gas system 201 contains a shielding gas, such as CO2 with welding degree, is connected to the wire feeder 192 so that, when the wire feeder is operated in relatively close proximity to the power source 194, the Volumetric gas system 201 can be connected to the wire feeder 192 to supply a shielding gas thereto. The volumetric gas system 201 includes a regulator 203 connected to the pressure tank 205 of the optional volumetric gas system 201. A gas hose 207 that connects the wire feeder 192 to the optional volumetric gas system 201 in this manner fluidly connects the feeder of wire 192 and pressure tank 205. Alternatively, it is understood that the gas flow of the volumetric gas system 201 can be directed through the power source 194 and directed from the power source to the wire feeder 192. As shown in Fig. 11, an internal cavity 210 of the wire feeder 192 is shown with the components located therein disposed generally similarly to the internal cavity 32 of the power source 10 shown in Fig. 2. The feeder of wire 192 includes a consumable welding wire 214 wound on a coil 216 and supported on the wire feeder 192 by a hub 218. The drive assembly 220 includes a motor 221 and a drive wheel 223 that feed the welding wire 214 from the coil 216 toward the torch through the wire 222. A gas system 224 is placed inside the 206 housing and communicates the shielding gas, such as CO2 with welding degree, to the welder. The gas system 224 has a regulator 226 connected to the pressure tank 228 that contains a quantity of gas there. It is understood that the pressure tank 228 could be of any shape and be oriented in substantially any position with respect to the wire feeder 192. Additionally, although the pressure tank 229 is shown generally enclosed by the housing 206 of the wire feeder 192 when the lid is placed on it, it is understood that the pressure tank could be partially positioned within the housing 206 or externally supported therewith. The connection of the pressure tank 228 to the feeder 192 forms a highly portable soldering device having a source of shielding gas efficiently transportable therewith. A handle 230 extends from the housing 206 and facilitates one-handed portability of the wire feeder. A cover 232 is placed in the internal cavity 210 of the wire feeder 192. The cover 232 is placed adjacently on the side panel 234 of the housing 206 and has a first recess 236, a second recess 238, and a third recess 240 formed therein. The first recess 236 is constructed to perfectly receive a portion of the pressure tank 228 there, the second recess 238 is constructed to perfectly receive a portion of an adapter 242 there, and the third recess 240 is constructed to perfectly receive a portion of the regulator 226 there. The recesses 236, 238, 240 cooperate to hold and secure the respective components of the gas system 224 there. The adapter 242 is constructed to operatively couple the pressure tank 228 and fluidly connecting the pressure tank to the regulator 226 when the pressure tank is connected to the adapter 242. A hose 244 passes behind the cover 232 and fluidly connects the regulator 226 to the valve 227 and thence to the torch. The valve 227 is connected to a switch 229 which extends through the cover 232 and allows the operator to operate the valve 227 from a remote position of the valve 227.

Although the valve 227 is shown to be positioned generally behind the coil 216, alternatively, it is understood that the valve 227 could be positioned to allow the operator direct manipulation thereof. Any construction provides a wire feeder that has an efficient and quickly replaceable supply of shielding gas. It is likewise understood that instead of providing a cover constructed to receive the internal components of the wire feeder, the side panel 234 of the housing 206 can be constructed with the plurality of holes integrally formed therewith. A connector 250 extends from another valve 251 and passes through the housing 206. The connector 250 is constructed to couple the gas hose 207 of the volumetric gas system 201 when the wire feeder 192 is connected thereto. It is understood that the coupling between the connector 250 and the gas hose 207 can be either a quick connector connection, a compression connection, a threaded connection, or any variation or combination thereof. The connector 250 is also connected in fluid communication to the switch 229. An operator of the wire feeder 192 can selectively connect the wire feeder 192 to the gas system 224, to the volumetric gas system 201, or completely suspend any flow of liquid. gas to the wire feeder 192 through the manipulation of the switch 229. Said system allows the operator to control the flow of protection gas from multiple sources from a single site. Additionally, although the wire feeder 192 includes a valve 227, 251 for each gas system 201, 224, it is understood that a single manually controlled valve could have both gas systems connected thereto and constructed in such a manner to allow the flow of the gas systems individually or simultaneously. Said construction would allow the operator to maintain the gas insulation of the gas systems or allow the gas mixture thereof when desired. It is also understood and is within the scope of the claims that the wire feeder could automatically detect the connection of the volumetric gas system here fluidly connecting the blower of the wire feeder 192 to the volumetric gas system when the wire feeder is fluidly connected with it in one modality. The above configurations preserve the protection of the gas system 224 for the remote operation of the wire feeder from the volumetric gas system 201 or when the shielding gas in the volumetric gas system is not available. It should further be understood that the volumetric gas system could be used to supply shielding gas to the pressure tank 228 of the gas system 224. Such construction could limit the replacement of the gas tank 228 when the optional volumetric gas system is available. As shown in Fig. 11, a belt 248 has a first end 250 and a second end 252 generally secured on opposite sides of the recess 236 with the pressure tank 228 thus held securely. The belt 248 is constructed of a generally elastic material and is stretched over the recess 236 with a pressure tank 228 placed there. Alternatively, the belt 248 could be constructed of a stiffer material and have one end thereof removably attached to the cover 232 so that the removable end of the belt 248 can be coupled and uncoupled from the cover 232 to allow insertion. removal of the pressure tank 228 from the recess 236. Alternatively, the recess 236 could be constructed to pressurizedly receive a pressure tank 228 therein. Despite the fact that securing means are applied, when the pressure tank 228 is placed in the recess 236 of the wire feeder 182, it is securely retained to prevent inadvertent movement of the pressure tank during transportation of the feeder. wire while still allowing an efficient and rapid removal and replacement of the pressure tank. Said construction forms a wire feeder capable of being positioned remotely with respect to the welding type energy source and has a source of protection gas secured for transport therein. Therefore, the present invention includes a wire feeder having a pressure tank and wherein the wire feeder is constructed to supply a portable source of shielding gas to the weld. The pressure tank is removable and is supported by the wire feeder so that the wire feeder is transported efficiently and conveniently by a single person and has a source of protected protection gas supported in this way.

One embodiment of the present invention includes a wire feeder having a hub constructed to support a consumable welding wire. The wire feeder includes a drive assembly constructed to deliver the consumable welding wire to a weld and to the housing located approximately in the hub and in the drive assembly. A pressure tank is supported by the wire feeder and is built to contain the gas there. A valve is connected to the gas tank and is constructed to allow the passage of gas from the pressure tank to couple the pressure tank with the wire feeder. Another embodiment of the present invention includes a welding wire supply system having a consumable welding wire supported in a housing and in a receptacle formed in the suitcase. A drive mechanism is constructed to couple the consumable welding wire and deliver the consumable welding wire to the welder. A regulator is placed in and supported by the case receptacle. A later embodiment of the present invention includes a wire feeder having a housing with a cavity formed therein. The cavity formed in the housing is constructed to receive a supply of welding wire there. A feed drive is in fluid communication with the cavity and is built to remove the welding wire therefrom. The wire feeder also includes the first means for supplying a shielding gas to the welding and secondary means for supplying protection gas to a welder. The first provided means originated in the housing and the second provided means originated outside the housing. The present invention has been described in terms of the preferred embodiment, and it is recognized that equivalents, alternatives and modifications other than those expressly stipulated, are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A wire feeder characterized in that it comprises: a hub constructed to support a consumable welding wire; a drive assembly constructed to supply the consumable welding wire to a welder; a housing placed around the hub and the drive assembly: a pressure tank supported by a wire feeder and built to contain a gas therein; and a valve connected to the pressure tank and constructed to allow the passage of gas therefrom upon the coupling of the pressure tank with the cable feeder. The wire feeder according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a regulator connected in fluid communication with the pressure tank and constructed to regulate the flow of gas therefrom. The wire feeder according to claim 2, characterized in that it also comprises a nozzle extending from the regulator, the nozzle is constructed to couple the valve of the pressure tank and allows the passage of gas from there when connecting the tank of pressure to the regulator. 4. The wire feeder according to claim 1, further characterized in that the pressure tank has a cylindrical shape. The wire feeder according to claim 1, further characterized in that the wire feeder is unable to generate a welding type energy and further comprises a wire constructed to connect the wire feeder to a power source constructed to generate an energy Welding type suitable for welding type applications. 6. The wire feeder according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a connector having a passage through it, the connector is constructed to connect in fluid communication the wire feeder to a cylinder of volumetric gas. 7. The wire feeder according to claim 6, characterized in that it further comprises a selector valve that operatively connects the gas flow from at least one of the pressure tanks and the volumetric gas cylinder to the wire feeder. The wire feeder according to claim 1, further characterized in that the pressure tank is placed in at least one internal part of the housing, partially inside the housing, and on the outside of the housing. 9. The wire feeder according to claim 1, further characterized in that the housing has a recess formed therein, the recess being constructed to receive in a tight manner at least one of the pressure tanks and a regulator. 10. A welding wire supply system characterized in that it comprises: a case having a receptacle formed therein; a consumable welding wire supported in the case; a drive mechanism constructed to couple the consumable welding wire and supply the consumable welding wire to the welder; and a regulator placed in and supported by the case receptacle. 1. A welding wire supply system according to claim 10, characterized in that it further comprises a gas container connected in fluid communication to the regulator and constructed to feed a protective gas of welding degree thereto. 1

2. The welding wire supply system according to claim 10, further characterized in that the case has a cavity formed therein, the cavity constructed to receive the gas container therein tightly. 1

3. The welding wire supply system according to claim 12, characterized in that it also comprises another gas container connected to the welding wire supply system and is external to the case. 1

4. The welding wire supply system according to claim 13, characterized in that it also comprises at least one of a valve connected in fluid communication to at least one of the gas container and to another gas container, the valve is constructed to allow an operator to operatively select at least one from the gas containers and to the other gas container to supply a shielding gas to the weld, and a switch connected to a first valve connected to the gas container and a second valve connected to another gas container, the switch is constructed to Allow an operator to remotely operate both the first valve and the second valve. 1

5. The welding wire supply system according to claim 10, further characterized in that the welding wire supply system is unable to generate a welding type energy and is incorporated into the welding system having a power source Welding type that is able to be connected remotely to the welding wire supply system, the welding type power source is built to generate a welding type energy suitable for welding type applications and communicate the power signals to the wire supply system of welding. 1

6. The welding wire supply system according to claim 10, characterized in that it also comprises a pressure tank capable of coupling with the regulator, the regulator has a nozzle extending from the same constructed to operatively couple a tank valve of pressure connected to it. 1

7. A wire feeder characterized in that it comprises: a housing having a cavity formed therein, the cavity is constructed to receive a supply of welding wire therein.; a feed drive in fluid communication with the cavity and constructed to remove the wire for welding therefrom; first means for supplying a protective gas to a weld, the first supply means originated in the housing; and second means for supplying shielding gas to a weld, the second supply means originating outside the housing. 1

8. The wire feeder according to claim 17, further characterized in that at least one of the first supply means and the second supply means is further defined as one of the pressure tanks, a container gas and a cylinder of gas. 1

9. The wire feeder according to claim 17, further comprising means for controlling the flow of gas from at least one of the first supply means and the second supply means. 20. The wire feeder according to claim 19, further characterized in that the control means further include at least one valve, a switch, and a regulator. 21. The wire feeder according to claim 17, further characterized in that the wire feeder only generates energy unsuitable for welding and further comprises a wire constructed to transmit the welding energy from the power source to the wire feeder. 22. The wire feeder according to claim 17 further characterized in that the housing has another cavity formed therein, the other cavity is constructed to receive in press fit form at least a portion of the first supply means there. 23. The wire feeder according to claim 17, characterized in that it further comprises a belt having a first end that is pivotally coupled to the housing and a second removable end attached to the housing so that the first supply means is placed perfectly between the housing. first and second ends.